One Look At Pennsylvania's Iconic Shoe House Is Bound To Knock Your Socks Off
If you take a moment to think back on nursery rhymes you may have heard as a child or sung to your own children, there are probably a few key verses that come to mind. "Humpty Dumpty," "Little Miss Muffet," and "Five Little Monkeys" are just some of the most popular rhymes, according to Pampers. Most of these are comical stories meant to make kids laugh or teach gentle lessons, but there's one age-old rhyme that seems to have walked right off the pages and into the real world: "There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe." She apparently lived in Pennsylvania, too! The Haines Shoe House in York, Pennsylvania is located off Highway 30 and the aptly named Shoe House Rd., making it a popular kitschy stop for tourists, locals, and lovers of travel-themed decorating ideas.
In addition to looking so charming on the outside, the Haines Shoe House is full of soul (or should we say, sole?) on the inside. There's lots to learn about the history of this iconic and quirky building, as well as the people behind its conception and the visitors who still appreciate it today. Check out the cool details behind the Haines Shoe House and how you can step foot in this whimsical structure.
Haines Shoe House commemorates one man's journey
The Haines Shoe House was built in 1948 and completed in 1949 by Businessman and Philanthropist Mahlon Haines, who designed the building's "footprint" with the help of architect Fred J. Rempp. Born in Ohio in 1875, Haines moved to York, Pennsylvania, in 1905, where he opened a string of very successful shoe stores and even became known as the "Shoe Wizard." Haines built the Shoe House as a way to promote his business, although he never lived there himself. Instead, he would offer the Shoe House as a vacation rental for couples and even give away vacation nights as contest prizes for shoe store customers. Haines passed away at age 87, leaving his company and the iconic building to his 28 closest employees, who sold it shortly thereafter.
25 feet tall and 48 feet long, the exterior of the Haines Shoe House is modeled after a work boot, complete with a painted-on sole and laces. Inside, the home is about 1,500 square feet and three stories tall. The Shoe House today has three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, with a kitchen in the heel of the boot and a living room in the toe. Fun footwear features are everywhere, from the stained glass windows to a shoe-shaped mailbox and doghouse. All in all, the Haines Shoe House cost about $26,000 to build — the equivalent of just over $329,500 today.
Countless travelers kick their feet up at the Shoe House
Throughout its lifetime, the Haines Shoe House has been passed around to several owners and served a number of roles in the community, including an ice cream shop and a bakery. The Haines Shoe House is currently cared for by its eighth set of owners and has gained notoriety among other historical sites, quirky roadside attractions, and celebrity homes that are super weird. The funky house was even featured on HGTV's "Home Strange Home" and as a stop on Season 8 of "The Amazing Race." Although it has been recognized as a local icon for decades, the Haines Shoe House finally received a state historical marker in 2023.
The Haines Shoe House is currently off the market, but if you're on the hunt for unique rentals for a one-of-a-kind vacation, you're in luck. The house is a total shoe-in for curious guests and travelers in Pennsylvania. To experience and explore the Haines Shoe House for yourself, you can book a stay online through Vrbo for around $424 per night. Although they weren't part of the original design, modern amenities for guests include a hot tub, a wood-burning fire pit, and more, and while it may look like a shoe, we're sure this whimsical vacation house doesn't smell like one.